The effects of brown seaweed derived fucoidan on growth, immune system, antioxidant defence of aquatics

Nowadays, the use of immune supplements in aquaculture has become a serious need due to the high prevalence of diseases. For a long time, researchers have been interested in finding suitable, economical and environmentally safe immunostimulant. It is necessary to use these stimulants as feed or water additives to strengthen the immune system and increase resistance to challenging pathogens. Probiotics, prebiotics, plant extracts, micro and macroalgae and essential oils have been widely evaluated in aquaculture. Brown algae are a large group of algae that are widely distributed in marine environments. Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide isolated from brown seaweed. Due to its numerous physiological and biological properties, it has attracted the attention of many researchers. Fucoidan extracted from brown algae has various biological functions, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antitumor, antibacterial, antiviral, anticoagulant, antioxidant, and growth promoter. Given the biological functions of fucoidan, the present paper reviewed the effects on growth, antioxidant capacity and disease resistance in various aquatic animals.